The Malian Armed Forces have neutralised several suspects and destroyed equipment during an aerial surveillance operation in Kidal, part of ongoing efforts to combat armed groups in the north.
It comes as the government steps up security along strategic fuel supply corridors.
According to the General Staff, a pickup truck tracked in Yenchechi was struck, followed by a group gathered under a tent where motorcycles were also destroyed. The military said operations to track down armed groups continue nationwide, particularly in the northern regions where insecurity remains high.
The intervention comes amid heightened security concerns affecting key fuel supply routes.
On Tuesday, September 16, Prime Minister General Abdoulaye Maïga met representatives of the Malian Petroleum Professionals’ Association to assess supply conditions following repeated attacks on convoys. Ibrahim Touré, the association’s permanent secretary, reaffirmed the sector’s commitment to working with the state to ensure continuity of deliveries despite the risks.
The most recent attack, claimed by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), occurred on September 14 between Lakamané and Kaniera along the vital Kayes-Bamako axis, destroying several fuel tankers. In response, the prime minister announced measures to strengthen the security of supply routes, calling for vigilance and resilience.
The authorities have stepped up military operations in the region. An airstrike in Mousafa on September 9 reportedly killed several dozen fighters, while another mission in Lambatara led to the arrest of four suspects.
The Bamako-Kayes corridor remains a critical economic lifeline for Mali and the wider subregion, and repeated disruptions to fuel supplies are putting added pressure on the national economy. The prime minister stressed the importance of close coordination between the state and the private sector to safeguard deliveries and protect strategic convoys.
MD/ac/sf/lb/as/APA